The SOuthland Times. WEDNESDAY. MAY 8, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 667, 8 May 1867, Page 2

The SOuthland Times. WEDNESDAY. MAY 8, 1867.

New Zeaiaitd is drifting with fearful velocity into a sea of difficulties in which thestate-ship maybe wrecked. Thepolitical horizon has become overcast, and the future is dim and ominous. The question ;o£ a reform of the constitution has been long agitated but little good has yet resulted from it ;— the provincial organisation so» admirably adapted to create petty jealousies, local disunion, and party feeling, having done its work. la no one Province can a united expression of public opinion be obtained upon questions of colonial import. Each has its own particular purposes to serve, and although nearly all desire a change, and look upon reform as imminent, it has become transparently patent that the nine petty states which at present exist in New Zealand, whose interests should be deemed identical, are split into fragments; that bitterness, envy, selfishness, and all that is uncharitable, has become the distinguishing characteristics of Provincial . activity ; that a system so in r uerentiy vicious should be abolished cannot be gainsayed. The question— a question difficult to solve — is, what is the system that can with equity and success secure for New Zealand as a whole fair and just legislation? It is plain that the provincial system cannot accomplish this, and it is almost a forlorn hope to suppose that the centralising policy if carried into effect would eradicate the evils of which all complain. What is the course to be pursued ? Separation ! The dissolution of the financial paraership that now exists between the Southern and Northern Islands, the abolishment of Provincialism, and the inaugeration of a municipal system, comprehensive, simple, and complete. Can this be obtained ? It can, if the Middle Island colonists are active, and work in unison for one common good. But ss long as Otago persists in cherishing a desire to increase Provincial power and importance, rendering the General Government a mere cipher, and Canterbury is content to take with thankfulness all the political crumbs that may be flung at it, any reform that may be brought forward will be of a questionable character, or be rejected. The agitation at present going on in Otago will bring this matter to an issue. It is not our intention to debate the question as to the reasons that have led the General Government to reduce the , powers of tbat Provincial Government to the greatest possible vestry dimensions ; their reasons may be most cogent, but that is not the subject we desire to debate. It opens up however the query, what are Provincial Governments :— are they shams or realities — political straws with which to tickle the susceptibilities of provincial politicians, delusions as hollow in foundation as they are vicious in working—or genuine representative institutions ? This is the problem to be solved, and upon its solution depends in a large measure the reform in the constitution which must form the chief topic of debate in the General Assembly during the coming session. "We have persistently maintained that the provincial system has ceased to be a benefit to the colony, and that the wants and requirements of the colonists of the two Islands are not identical ; that what with the costly arid unsatisfactory working of nine petty states, and the unnatural demands made on the resources of the South, for the purpose of bolstering up the North, the Middle Island is placed in a position of difficulty, depression, and dependancy to which it should never have been reduced — to the position of being the heaviest taxed, and most misgoverned people in the British dominions. . What is the remedy for this, what the reform best calculated to ensure for the future more workable laws, more active legislation, and economical administration of the Government ? Financial Separation is the only one reform that opens up the prospect of the harmonious advancement J of the entire colony. The importance of this question is becoming more and more marked. During the last session of the Assembly, the previously heavily taxed colonists of the South were called upon to carry another burden, in the. shape of Stamp Duties, Newspaper Postage,. &c, almost as heavy as that which had already proved most oppressive. - What has ail this extra, taxation resulted iv ; has it tended to relieve the South of past lfabilities or add to its funds for prosecuting public works ?- No ! the North has swallowed it all, and still eries — more, more. In addition to this,; if we can understand the mystical utterances of the "p'owera that be" the -cup of bitterness is not yet full. The, .thr^e-eighths if the Customs, the pastoral rents 2aimot be looked on as positive assets, foe General Government reserving to itself the right to give or withhold at jleaaura; What then/is the course to be

Centralism, or Separation ? Provin- J cialism is perhaps the most to be avoided, it does not -work satisfactorily, is costly and inefficient. Centralism offers some prospect of departmental economy and union in governmental action, but it gives no guarantee that the South shall be in any way relieved from the burden of the extravagances of the North or the pet projects of the centre Provinces. . Financial I Separation shouldbethe aim and object of all who desire to advance the progress of the colony. Can this be obtained ? Appear?ances favor the belief that it can. The agitation in Otago tends to this end, and it is no longer probable that in the event of the Separation of the two Islands, the seat of Government will become a serious matter for discussion. If Separate Governments for the two islands can be obtained, it matters but little whether, in the North Island the Government is at Auckland or Taranaki, and in the South Canterbury or Otago, so long as a large and comprehensive municipal system is adopted. These questions should "be made the subjects of mutual thought. That they must be grappled with iniiii« J J.i«.-kr>iy n;p r >'n tVio meeting of the Assembly... is now beyond doubt, and all should be prepared to take a part in the discussion. What is Southland's decision ?